Business Plans and Strategic Planning

Every business starts with a plan, and most of the time the plan is in one person’s head. Usually this isn’t a problem when a business starts, but as it grows and starts looking for finance or seeking investment, that plan needs to be on paper.

No business plan ever looks the same as the last, but needs to be realistic and credible. At OS Accounting our qualified partners can help get your ideas on to paper, and prepare the backup, and substance to help raise finance, and help you grow.

If you already have your finance, or find that your business needs to change direction, its hard to for a business break the habits of a lifetime. Processes, procedures and culture get in the way of change.

We can help you change, and have helped businesses with all aspects of strategic planning and change management. This can include mind mapping, timeline planning, and also getting staff members to buy in to a different way of doing things.

If you are looking to put your ideas onto paper and create a great business plan, or you need to change your business and need support and coaching, please contact us.

How do I write a business plan?

It’s hard to write anything structured with a blank piece of paper and an idea in your head, so its best to outline what you are looking to create. A great business plan may cover:

Your concept;

Competitor research and analysis;

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis;

Startup costings;

A 12 month detailed forecast; and

Up to 5 years of summary forecasting.

Any funding provider ill be interested in making sure you have a well considered business plan, and a financially viable business model, as they are looking to make sure that their funding is secured and invested well.

Want are the different types of business plans?

Business planning isn’t reserved for startups and new businesses, it is a tool that any business can use when implementing a new idea, or adjusting a concept.

Different business plans can include:

Strategic business plans;

Interim business plans;

Opportunity business plans;

Reorganisation business plans; as well as

Start up business plans.

What makes a good business plan?

A business plan is looking to scope out the lifecycle of a business idea without putting it into action. The first aim is to agree a uniform idea, so everyone involved understands the direction they are going in. After the stakeholders are on board, a feasibility study undertaken to understand what pitfalls may arise and how to address them, also whether the idea is worthwhile investing more time into. Finally, the business plan is looking to be a sales pitch, or a marketing document to potential investors, or finance houses. It needs to sell your idea.